Things To Do in Los Angeles

Tall, shaved palms lining the streets of Beverly Hills between Santa Monica Blvd & Sunset.

Dude.

This is my Local Guide of Things to do Los Angeles.

Not Anaheim. Not the Valley. Not O.C.

But the City of Los Angeles. And that means Venice Beach, Santa Monica, West L.A., Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Culver City, Koreatown, and Mid-Wilshire.

Those are my hoods.

Before COVID-19, 9/11 and Rodney King. I was here.

Jump down to the Insider's Guide to LA if you don't want the free walking tour MP3s or the low down on what to avoid.

Contents

    The Santa Monica coastline, located in the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, California, is a beautiful destination for visitors of all ages. The area is known for its stunning geography and architecture, including the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Visitors can enjoy the sunny climate while taking in the diverse culture and demographics of the area. While crime can be a concern in some parts of Los Angeles, the city and local police work diligently to ensure public safety. The area also offers a thriving economy and many world-class dining options, from casual beachside restaurants to high-end establishments. However, visitors should be aware of potential flooding risks in the area. The mayor and Metro transportation system work to address these concerns and make the area accessible to everyone, from families with children to solo travelers. For those looking to explore more of the coastline, the nearby city of Malibu offers additional beaches and attractions.
    Santa Monica at Sunrise, as seen from Sunset Beach on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

    Los Angeles Post Lockdown

    So after the lockdown, if you're considering visiting L.A., you've come the right place.

    The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a must-visit attraction in the City of Los Angeles, California. Located in the heart of Hollywood, the Walk of Fame is a tribute to the entertainment industry's biggest stars, with over 2,600 stars featuring icons from movies, TV, music, and theater. Visitors can take a stroll along the Walk of Fame and learn about the city's rich history, diverse culture, and world-class educational opportunities, such as UCLA. The area also offers plenty of dining options, including delicious Mexican cuisine, and visitors can easily access the area via the Metro transportation system. The Los Angeles Times provides news coverage of the city, including its thriving arts and entertainment scene and its commitment to LGBT inclusivity.

    I'm a native, born and raised and I love sharing what I know about this amazing wasteland with lovely little, hidden gems tucked about.

    If you want to know whether you can bring food into the LA Zoo, or anything about Beverly Hills, Sant Monica, or Hollywood, this Los Angeles Visitor's guide is for you.

    This is a Local Guide to Los Angeles. These are the places and hideouts that cater to true Angelenos.

    Los Angeles Walking Tours

    I recorded these narrated walking tours if you want insider info as you explore.

    Listen to my walking tours on what to see in L.A. when you visit. I did a couple of interviews with my friend Chris Christensen for his Amateur Traveler podcast all about Los Angeles.

    After decades of sharing my knowledge of L.A. with friends and friends of friends in search of my city's best, the one-to-many power of the web allows me to share the best of Los Angeles with whoever's interested online.

    Los Angeles City Audio Guide One (Days 1 & 2)

    Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Westwood, Century City, and Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California.

    Los Angeles Walking Tours, Days 1 and 2 - Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Westwood, Century City, and Hollywood.

    Los Angeles Photo Gallery

    Venice Beach
    Santa Monica
    Westwood L.A.
    Century City
    Beverly Hills

    Los Angeles City Audio Guide Two (Days 3 & 4)

    Hollywood and Downtown in Los Angeles, California

    Los Angeles Walking Tours, Days 3 and 4 - Hollywood and Central Los Angeles

    Los Angeles Photo Gallery

    Hollywood
    Central Los Angeles

    Visiting Los Angeles

    You can use this Los Angeles Guide to learn more about the city, and discover local hot spots from an L.A. native.

    I grew up in Los Angeles, and have lived there most of my life. Los Angeles gets a bad rap from a lot of people. Here's my theory why.

    L.A. is a very big, vast sprawling place.

    When I say L.A., I'm not referring to Los Angeles County. I'm referring to the City of Los Angeles, which is big, but not nearly as big as L.A. county.

    The city does not include Anaheim, where Disneyland is or Burbank, where Universal Studios is. They're both fun place and I love them. But they're not in L.A., so they're not included in my itineraries.

     Royce Hall, located at UCLA in the City of Los Angeles, showcases the arts in Southern California, and is easily accessible via transportation options provided by the Metro, highlighting the intersection of sports, geography, universities, and entertainment in Los Angeles County.

    Royce Hall, located at UCLA in Westwood, showcases the arts in Southern California, and is easily accessible via transportation options provided by the Metro, highlighting the intersection of sports, geography, universities, and entertainment in Los Angeles County.

    Grab a french dip at Philippe in downtown LA before a Dodgers game.

    Grab a french dip at Philippe in downtown LA before a Dodgers game.

    Los Angeles is incredibly spread out, so ints not the type of city where you're likely to stumble onto a great restaurant or a cool night spot.

    You need to know where you're going, you need a reservation, and may need to be "on the list."

    Traffic in Los Angeles during rush hour is grueling. There's no public transportation worth a damn and relying on cabs is prohibitively expensive. You're going to need car. And most importantly, you're going to need to plan out your days to avoid getting stuck in gridlock.

    These lists include many of my personal favorite places, restaurants, and points of interest in Los Angeles.

    I've organized special events for clients at some of these venues, but they're also the places I go when we want to have a little fun.

    L.A. Local's Guide

    Since a got married and became a dad, I don't get out as much at night anymore, so the Night Spots may be a little out of date. The best advice I have for you though as at this first link below:

    Things to do in Los Angeles - Maps with suggested spots to visit in Los Angeles, as featured in the Amateur Traveler Podcast.

    Musso & Franks on Hollywood Blvd. was featured in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino. Is was established in 1919.

    Musso & Franks on Hollywood Blvd. was featured in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino. Is was established in 1919.

    Best Restaurants - Where are the best places to eat in Los Angeles? You won't find these in any guide book.

    Best Dive Restaurants - Where are the best dives to eat at in Los Angeles? These are absolutely, unequivocally the best.

    Best Golf - Which are the best public golf courses in Los Angeles? Click here to find out where to go for 18 holes in Los Angeles.

    Night Spots - Where are the best places to hang, meet interesting people, and party in Los Angeles? These the best watering holes Los Angeles has to offer.

    Best Places to Launch - Want a great special event venue in Los Angeles? If it isn't at the right location, it may not be as successful as you'd like. These are some of our favorite special events venues.

    Watts Towers in South Central Los Angeles County are well worth a visit.

    Watts Towers in South Central Los Angeles County are well worth a visit.

    People's Guide to Los Angeles *New* - I have also spent a good deal of time in South Central Los Angeles County.

    South LA, not far from Compton, is where a number of celebrities came from, including Ice Cube, film director John Singleton and athletes Andre Miller and Baron Davis.

    Avila's Mi Ranchito in South Central Los Angeles Couty.

    Avila's Mi Ranchito in South Central Los Angeles Couty.

    I'm not going to give you a whole section on what to do and see there, but Watts Towers and  Ray's BBQ are my favorite points of interest.

    Or if you want to try some amazing. homestyle Mexican food stop by Avila's Mi Ranchito, which has a full bar, and try the carnitas and ask for them "El Doralito" which means golden brown.